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Johnny Murtagh cannot wait to get started in his role as the new number one jockey for the Coolmore operation.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The 37-year-old rider has stepped into the breach on numerous occasions recently in the absence of Kieren Fallon and after big-race victories on the likes of Dylan Thomas, Peeping Fawn and Simply Perfect, is hoping more will follow.
He said: "I've been very lucky for them over the years and it is a great job to get. I'm over the moon and I'm really looking forward to a big season."
Murtagh is currently riding in Dubai and added: "I'm going home after the racing here on March 6, I'll have a couple of weeks at home, then I'll go back to Dubai for the World Cup and I'll meet everybody then. My contract starts after the World Cup meeting."
Murtagh has been riding principally for Ger Lyons and Mick Halford since leaving John Oxx's stable and he is grateful to the pair for getting his career back on track after well-publicised weight problems.
He went on: "Mick Halford and Ger Lyons have been very good to me and they are very good friends of mine and they were vital to my career at that stage. But when this offer came along they were very understanding and very supportive of me and I'm sure I'll ride plenty more winners for them over the years."
"I think you can see from the last couple of years that I have been pretty consistent with my weight, you have to be, and I suppose it gets a little easier over the years, you learn how to control it better. I have more discipline and I think I have it pretty much under control at the moment.
"I've got plenty of experience, I've been riding in all the top races around Europe and I know what it takes to win. I feel very fit and very sharp and I'll have to improve again, but I think I'm capable of that as well.
"There is no doubt that Coolmore is a great team and they have a great team of horses, I'm just looking forward to being there and being part of it, I'm just absolutely over the moon."
Jamie Spencer, who had a season as stable jockey at Ballydoyle, is far from surprised at the appointment of Murtagh and told At The Races: "I think everybody expected it and it looks a great opportunity for him. It will be an interesting summer for Johnny and he deserves it."